Students perform introductory translation assignments from Spanish to English and vice versa. They develop an understanding of translation theory through reading and class discussion and come to understand communicative translation and compare it to a direct, word-for-word approach. Problematic grammatical, discursive, and pragmatic issues are analyzed and the grammar of Spanish is reviewed in detail. Taught in Spanish.
While enrolled in this class, I got the opportunity to learn about the translation process between Spanish and English. Throughout the class material, we studied and learned about the proper way of translating through fun and interactive activities. This class truly follows the ACTFL guidelines, since it created an interpersonal activity, where we had to figure out the meaning we had to translate, and the proper way of doing so. Once that objective was complete, we were required to interact with our peers in order to compare and help each other out. Finally, we were required to share out loud with the class, and the teacher in order to correct any possible mistakes. I truly enjoyed every material we studied, and Dr. Oliva managed to create an atmosphere were participation was required, but any mistakes would be solved in a respectful manner by the classmates. We were tested several times on our knowledge of both Spanish and English when group exams came across the semester, but the fact that we were given the opportunity to work in groups was helpful and made the test feel like a good learning experience. One topic we discuss a lot in class was the differences when it comes to translating a document and an interpretation that is being presented to an audience, and the way it is required to do so in order to deliver the message properly. I also learned that riddles and poetry tend to be the hardest material to translate since it has a rhythmic connection with the theme, and when translating, such aspects need to be presented to the audience as well, making it a difficult assignment.
While enrolled in this class, I got the opportunity to learn about the translation process between Spanish and English. Throughout the class material, we studied and learned about the proper way of translating through fun and interactive activities. This class truly follows the ACTFL guidelines, since it created an interpersonal activity, where we had to figure out the meaning we had to translate, and the proper way of doing so. Once that objective was complete, we were required to interact with our peers in order to compare and help each other out. Finally, we were required to share out loud with the class, and the teacher in order to correct any possible mistakes. I truly enjoyed every material we studied, and Dr. Oliva managed to create an atmosphere were participation was required, but any mistakes would be solved in a respectful manner by the classmates. We were tested several times on our knowledge of both Spanish and English when group exams came across the semester, but the fact that we were given the opportunity to work in groups was helpful and made the test feel like a good learning experience. One topic we discuss a lot in class was the differences when it comes to translating a document and an interpretation that is being presented to an audience, and the way it is required to do so in order to deliver the message properly. I also learned that riddles and poetry tend to be the hardest material to translate since it has a rhythmic connection with the theme, and when translating, such aspects need to be presented to the audience as well, making it a difficult assignment.